The other day I went for a walk by myself in Bouillargues, the village where I live, to get a bus pass. It was sooooo nice. We live at the entrance of the village, so I had only been in the centre a couple of times. Going by myself was good. It gave me a chance to look around, (and buy myself a pain au chocolat). The village is nice and quiet. There is a small park too. It has tress, and a "mairie" that sits on the end. It also has these lanterns that make it very "Murdoch like". And for those of you who know me and my little obssesion well, it is now one of my favorite spots.
Mrs. Lauretta knows a woman who's granddaughter is Canadian. The grandaughter's name is Marie Claude. She was born in Quebec, and lives there now, but she has also lived in Newfoundland, PEI, and good ol' Alberta.
Marie Claude was visting her grandma here in Nimes so we had invited her for dinner. She was super nice! She asked if I wanted to talk in english, because she has been speaking it for 10 years, but I said it was alright. I noticed something too. When I talked ot other EF students, I was just enjoying the fact that I was speaking my language again, but talking to Marie Claude in french made me concentrate more on Canada. It was so great to talk about it. Talking about Canada is like a security blanket for me.
Because she lived in english speaking provinces, she knows exactly how I feel being immersed into a different language. She was saying how sometimes its good to have a break and that it was good I had brought my english movies with me, and all sorts of things. She really understands, and it was really great. Because she was Canadian, it also felt like we were long time friends and already had inside jokes.
Mrs; Lauretta said that she hoped we liked salmon, Marie Claude answered that we were Canadians so we had better.
Also, the Laurettas mentioned how we would try to eat earlier from now on. 7:30 (some nights we don't eat until 8:30 or 10), Marie Claude and I smiled, and mentioned that it was funny, because we eat 5:30 or 6 in our country. The Laurettas were schocked that people would eat that early.
So anyway, I was really happy to meet her. She is going back to Montreal today I believe, but she gave me a bunch of contact information.
Everything else is going okay.
Miss you all
Katy
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Funny Day
So, I've been doing dance in gym, and today it was all about lifting other people. Not something I'm crazy about, but it was kind of funny. I am taller and have long legs, so I was the one to lift my partner. (It's not over the head lifting, or anything serious like that).
We also did all this to some Katie Melua songs. I thought of you Mom.
The people I eat with at lunch are kind of goth. They're aren't like let's-go-smoke-and-hurt-people, kind of goths. They just dress in black and like to play nerdy games like Dungeons and Dragons. Anyway, they've been the nicest to me, so I hang out with them. (They are in my class too.)
There is this one room, it's like a Game Club. It's their room to use, because they are the club, so I eat in there with them. They haven't been playing much games so far, but they're starting to now. I usually watch, that way I can learn how the games are played.
My history and cinema teacher is, I guess, in charge of the club. He came in today and ate and talked, and watched one of the games called "Jungle Speed". It was beyond weird to be around a teacher during lunch, but it was good. He must be in there to supervise a lot, because the others were chatting and discussing all sorts of things.
I had his class right after lunch, and I was much more relaxed. I'm usually pretty tense during classes.
So yeah, strange, but not bad.
I realized that I've been dropping some words for new ones.
For example, not a lot of people here say 'bonjour', and that's only during the day anyway. I said it quite a bit, but now I usually say 'salut', just like everyone else.
Same thing with 'okay'. People do say it, but not a lot. So I'm using 'd'accord'. Sometimes if I'm feeling homesick, I do go back to 'okay', because they understand what it means and I'm speaking at least one word of english.
The other day I helped Noèmie with her english homework. She appreciated it, and I loved being able to use my language.
Hopefully she gets more homework soon. :D
That's it for now.
We also did all this to some Katie Melua songs. I thought of you Mom.
The people I eat with at lunch are kind of goth. They're aren't like let's-go-smoke-and-hurt-people, kind of goths. They just dress in black and like to play nerdy games like Dungeons and Dragons. Anyway, they've been the nicest to me, so I hang out with them. (They are in my class too.)
There is this one room, it's like a Game Club. It's their room to use, because they are the club, so I eat in there with them. They haven't been playing much games so far, but they're starting to now. I usually watch, that way I can learn how the games are played.
My history and cinema teacher is, I guess, in charge of the club. He came in today and ate and talked, and watched one of the games called "Jungle Speed". It was beyond weird to be around a teacher during lunch, but it was good. He must be in there to supervise a lot, because the others were chatting and discussing all sorts of things.
I had his class right after lunch, and I was much more relaxed. I'm usually pretty tense during classes.
So yeah, strange, but not bad.
I realized that I've been dropping some words for new ones.
For example, not a lot of people here say 'bonjour', and that's only during the day anyway. I said it quite a bit, but now I usually say 'salut', just like everyone else.
Same thing with 'okay'. People do say it, but not a lot. So I'm using 'd'accord'. Sometimes if I'm feeling homesick, I do go back to 'okay', because they understand what it means and I'm speaking at least one word of english.
The other day I helped Noèmie with her english homework. She appreciated it, and I loved being able to use my language.
Hopefully she gets more homework soon. :D
That's it for now.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Been here over a month...
Hi everybody.
So, I'm probably the worst blogger in the world, but I really have been busy.
Last weekend was the Faria (still not sure about spelling). With the bull fighting and everything.
Christine, a really nice woman who cleans the house on saturdays, took me to her house. I went with her 19 year old daughter, Marion and her friends to a small village to watch some sport for the Faria. They assured me there was no injuring or killing of the bull. The village had small arenas. Two stands. It wasn't the arena in Nimes.
Guys in white shirts have to try and get a thread hung from between the bull's horns. No weapons.
There were a lot of bulls so it was a good long afternoon. I had lots of fun and took lots of pictures and videos that I plan on putting up on Facebook.
After people lined the streets. Bulls are released with one horse and rider in front, and one on either side. That stops the bull from going towards the crowd. Bulls always escape thoug, and about 3 or 4 did this time. It can be dangerous when they escape and Marion and her friends had me stand on a littel fence thing... just in case.
After words, Christine picked us up and we went back to her house for a while and had some McDonald's.
This weekend there was a little get together with the EF program. Most of the students were Canadian, but there were others. None of them live in Nimes, but I got their names and Facebook and emails.
We had gone on a tour of Uzès, which is a lovely town, and then ate some snacks.
Unfortunatley, not many families and students are getting along with each other. I was listening to the students complain and Mrs. Lauretta was listening to the adults complain. Apparently there were problems at the EF Language Camp. That's something that happened this summer and that I did not go to.
But that's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm good where I am.
A person took a picture of all us exchange students for a small newspaper in Uzès, and we will each get a copy.
The Laurettas have a scanner so I plan to scan it for you guys.
Oh, and I also have to send my school and class photos, but I haven't gotten the prints yet. They were taken a while ago, so I expect to see them soon.
All is well
Katy
So, I'm probably the worst blogger in the world, but I really have been busy.
Last weekend was the Faria (still not sure about spelling). With the bull fighting and everything.
Christine, a really nice woman who cleans the house on saturdays, took me to her house. I went with her 19 year old daughter, Marion and her friends to a small village to watch some sport for the Faria. They assured me there was no injuring or killing of the bull. The village had small arenas. Two stands. It wasn't the arena in Nimes.
Guys in white shirts have to try and get a thread hung from between the bull's horns. No weapons.
There were a lot of bulls so it was a good long afternoon. I had lots of fun and took lots of pictures and videos that I plan on putting up on Facebook.
After people lined the streets. Bulls are released with one horse and rider in front, and one on either side. That stops the bull from going towards the crowd. Bulls always escape thoug, and about 3 or 4 did this time. It can be dangerous when they escape and Marion and her friends had me stand on a littel fence thing... just in case.
After words, Christine picked us up and we went back to her house for a while and had some McDonald's.
This weekend there was a little get together with the EF program. Most of the students were Canadian, but there were others. None of them live in Nimes, but I got their names and Facebook and emails.
We had gone on a tour of Uzès, which is a lovely town, and then ate some snacks.
Unfortunatley, not many families and students are getting along with each other. I was listening to the students complain and Mrs. Lauretta was listening to the adults complain. Apparently there were problems at the EF Language Camp. That's something that happened this summer and that I did not go to.
But that's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm good where I am.
A person took a picture of all us exchange students for a small newspaper in Uzès, and we will each get a copy.
The Laurettas have a scanner so I plan to scan it for you guys.
Oh, and I also have to send my school and class photos, but I haven't gotten the prints yet. They were taken a while ago, so I expect to see them soon.
All is well
Katy
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Quite a night, last night...
So Noèmie's 15th birthday was last Wednesday, and last night (friday), we had a party. (for which I tried to make Mom's brownies and horribly failed).
Noèmie came home from school not feeling well and went to take a nap. Mrs. Lauretta's family started arriving at 9:00. She was feeling absolutley awful so Mrs. Lauretta took her to the hospital. She had to have tests taken and stayed the night for observation.
As you can see, it wasn't the best party, but fortunately Noèmie's feeling much better. Her blood pressure was low, causing her to be very zombie like as she walked out the door for the hospital.
But, as I said, she's fine now.
On a side note, remember that petition I mentioned? To change our wednesday French class from 1:00-2:00, to 12:00-1:00? Well yesterday during History/Geography, some important person in the school came in (we had to stand in respect... how strange is that?) and she was angry. Apparently she had said "no", and getting the petition was a slap in the face or something, because she already said it wasn't possible.
Anyway, after she left my teacher started telling the class that it wasn't a good idea. Some of my classmates were not happy, because the whole petition was so that they could catch a bus. With our french class the way it is now, they have to wait a long time for it to come.
But my teacher made some funny comments and then as he was going back to the chalkboard he joked that they needed to stop makig Katherine (that's me) sign things she doesn't understand. I thought it was funny.
Then he said something like "no. she knew what it is was" or something like that, but I didn't get it because it was in French. :D
I did know what the petition was about, I just didn't think someone could get so cranky over it. If anyone is wondering, I don't care that I signed it. I'm also not worried about being on a bad list or anything.
So yeah. Crazy day yesterday. Pretty tired after the party. I tihnk I'm going to work on fixing the internet connection on the laptop.
This weekend is the matador thing, I can't quite remember the name, but when I do I'll post it. I won't be going because I can't stand the sight of animals being teased, injured, and killed, but I probably will be going to the running of the bulls here in Nimes. Mr. Lauretta assures me that the bull is not harmed for that. So I am looking forward to it. It's definitley something new!
(And no I don't plan on being one of the people chased by a bull. Think I'll watch from a safe distance. :P)
Noèmie came home from school not feeling well and went to take a nap. Mrs. Lauretta's family started arriving at 9:00. She was feeling absolutley awful so Mrs. Lauretta took her to the hospital. She had to have tests taken and stayed the night for observation.
As you can see, it wasn't the best party, but fortunately Noèmie's feeling much better. Her blood pressure was low, causing her to be very zombie like as she walked out the door for the hospital.
But, as I said, she's fine now.
On a side note, remember that petition I mentioned? To change our wednesday French class from 1:00-2:00, to 12:00-1:00? Well yesterday during History/Geography, some important person in the school came in (we had to stand in respect... how strange is that?) and she was angry. Apparently she had said "no", and getting the petition was a slap in the face or something, because she already said it wasn't possible.
Anyway, after she left my teacher started telling the class that it wasn't a good idea. Some of my classmates were not happy, because the whole petition was so that they could catch a bus. With our french class the way it is now, they have to wait a long time for it to come.
But my teacher made some funny comments and then as he was going back to the chalkboard he joked that they needed to stop makig Katherine (that's me) sign things she doesn't understand. I thought it was funny.
Then he said something like "no. she knew what it is was" or something like that, but I didn't get it because it was in French. :D
I did know what the petition was about, I just didn't think someone could get so cranky over it. If anyone is wondering, I don't care that I signed it. I'm also not worried about being on a bad list or anything.
So yeah. Crazy day yesterday. Pretty tired after the party. I tihnk I'm going to work on fixing the internet connection on the laptop.
This weekend is the matador thing, I can't quite remember the name, but when I do I'll post it. I won't be going because I can't stand the sight of animals being teased, injured, and killed, but I probably will be going to the running of the bulls here in Nimes. Mr. Lauretta assures me that the bull is not harmed for that. So I am looking forward to it. It's definitley something new!
(And no I don't plan on being one of the people chased by a bull. Think I'll watch from a safe distance. :P)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Schedule
I'm going to put up my schedule for those who want to take a peek. I won't include lunch, but it typically starts at 12 and ends at 1. If I happen to have no class before or after, it's extended.
Monday
Take the bus at 7:36 in the morning
8-10 French (2 hours)
10-11 English (1 hour)
11-12 English (every other week)(1 hour)
1-3 Cinema (2 hours)
3-4 Math (1 hour)
I take the bus to Bouillargues (my village), at 4:00.
Tuesday
My first class is at ten, but the latest bus to Phillipe Lamour is 8:29, so I take that and work and eat until class starts.
10-11 French (1 hour)
11-12 Cinema (1 hour)
1-3 English (2 hours)
3-6 Cinema (3 hours)
Take the bus at 6:00 to get back to Bouillargues.
Wednesday
I take the bus to the school at 7:24 in the morning.
8-10 French (2 hours)
10-12 History/ Geography (2 hours)
1-2 French (1 hour)(my classmates are signing a petition to get this class changed to 12-1, so that at 1 we can just go home.)
The bus I usually take does not run wednesdays so I have to take three buses to get back to Bouillargues.
1) Walk across the street and wait for the bus.
2) Get off at the first stop and walk to another bus stop
3) Take that bus to the gare (train station)
4) Wait at the gare (I get there around 2:30 and the bus comes at 3:20) for the bus that goes to Bouillargues and take it.
Thursday
Take the bus at 8:29.
10-12 Gym (2 hours)
2-3 Social (every other week) (1 hour)
3-4 History/Geography (1 hour)
4-5 Math (1 hour)
Take the bus at 5:00 to Bouillargues.
Friday
Take the bus at 7:36
8-10 Cinema (2 hours)
10-11:30 Science (1 1/2 hours)
2-3 History/ Geography (1 hour)
I kill an hour then take the bus at 4:00
So that's it. Just in case you are wondering, this is the week that I do the extra english class and social class. So next week, I don't have them.
I'm in class 1L2. 1 stands for premier, the ranking goes youngest=deuxieme, middle=premier, oldest=terminale. And the L stands for litteraire. I'm in literary rather than science. Our class is about 30 students, and we are usually together but it changes. For example, those with a language class during History, take history anohter day when the other half of the class doesn't.
I met an American student yesterday. She's really nice, but is only in one of my classes. (cinema on tuesday afternoon)
Everything is going well.
Katy
Monday
Take the bus at 7:36 in the morning
8-10 French (2 hours)
10-11 English (1 hour)
11-12 English (every other week)(1 hour)
1-3 Cinema (2 hours)
3-4 Math (1 hour)
I take the bus to Bouillargues (my village), at 4:00.
Tuesday
My first class is at ten, but the latest bus to Phillipe Lamour is 8:29, so I take that and work and eat until class starts.
10-11 French (1 hour)
11-12 Cinema (1 hour)
1-3 English (2 hours)
3-6 Cinema (3 hours)
Take the bus at 6:00 to get back to Bouillargues.
Wednesday
I take the bus to the school at 7:24 in the morning.
8-10 French (2 hours)
10-12 History/ Geography (2 hours)
1-2 French (1 hour)(my classmates are signing a petition to get this class changed to 12-1, so that at 1 we can just go home.)
The bus I usually take does not run wednesdays so I have to take three buses to get back to Bouillargues.
1) Walk across the street and wait for the bus.
2) Get off at the first stop and walk to another bus stop
3) Take that bus to the gare (train station)
4) Wait at the gare (I get there around 2:30 and the bus comes at 3:20) for the bus that goes to Bouillargues and take it.
Thursday
Take the bus at 8:29.
10-12 Gym (2 hours)
2-3 Social (every other week) (1 hour)
3-4 History/Geography (1 hour)
4-5 Math (1 hour)
Take the bus at 5:00 to Bouillargues.
Friday
Take the bus at 7:36
8-10 Cinema (2 hours)
10-11:30 Science (1 1/2 hours)
2-3 History/ Geography (1 hour)
I kill an hour then take the bus at 4:00
So that's it. Just in case you are wondering, this is the week that I do the extra english class and social class. So next week, I don't have them.
I'm in class 1L2. 1 stands for premier, the ranking goes youngest=deuxieme, middle=premier, oldest=terminale. And the L stands for litteraire. I'm in literary rather than science. Our class is about 30 students, and we are usually together but it changes. For example, those with a language class during History, take history anohter day when the other half of the class doesn't.
I met an American student yesterday. She's really nice, but is only in one of my classes. (cinema on tuesday afternoon)
Everything is going well.
Katy
Friday, September 12, 2008
Finally Updating...
So I guess I shoudl have been updating sooner, and more frequently, but I have been pretty busy lately.
School was very tough the first day, but now the teachers know who I am and everything and they are sympathetic. For example, they don't ask me to answer a question in front of the class (which is very much appreciated).
Lunch is very gourmet, but if I want I can use the canteen where I can pick up a croissant or something in the morning, or a baguette with ham at lunch. Both the canteen and cafeteria use a card. I put money on the card and they just swipe it through. One of those nice lunches with fancy desserts at the cafeteria only costs about 3 something euros, and it feels like I'm in a restaurant.
The friend thing is weird. People don't want me to eat alone, so they invite me to join them, but we don't become "friends", and they don't expect me to sit with them during a break the next day. But they are nice. One thing I notice, the French don't introduce themselves very much, so I only know a few names.
For those of you who read Mom's email, the other funny thing that Mr.Lauretta said was that I have to do a demonstration after each dance lesson in gym class.... he also asked me if I wanted to go for a swim in the pool during the lightning storm. (Which was crazy loud and scary by the way!)
From the 24th to 26th of October, there is a film festival in Montpellier (not far from Nimes). My cinema class is going this year, and I've decided to join them. Usually they go to Cannes, which would be AMAZING, but this is still exciting too. I stay there for two nights, and get to go to conferences and meet professionals and help out and stuff. Very cool.
I'll try to update more.
So far so good.
School was very tough the first day, but now the teachers know who I am and everything and they are sympathetic. For example, they don't ask me to answer a question in front of the class (which is very much appreciated).
Lunch is very gourmet, but if I want I can use the canteen where I can pick up a croissant or something in the morning, or a baguette with ham at lunch. Both the canteen and cafeteria use a card. I put money on the card and they just swipe it through. One of those nice lunches with fancy desserts at the cafeteria only costs about 3 something euros, and it feels like I'm in a restaurant.
The friend thing is weird. People don't want me to eat alone, so they invite me to join them, but we don't become "friends", and they don't expect me to sit with them during a break the next day. But they are nice. One thing I notice, the French don't introduce themselves very much, so I only know a few names.
For those of you who read Mom's email, the other funny thing that Mr.Lauretta said was that I have to do a demonstration after each dance lesson in gym class.... he also asked me if I wanted to go for a swim in the pool during the lightning storm. (Which was crazy loud and scary by the way!)
From the 24th to 26th of October, there is a film festival in Montpellier (not far from Nimes). My cinema class is going this year, and I've decided to join them. Usually they go to Cannes, which would be AMAZING, but this is still exciting too. I stay there for two nights, and get to go to conferences and meet professionals and help out and stuff. Very cool.
I'll try to update more.
So far so good.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Settling
I have arrived safely after traveling for over 24 hours.
I have been eating and sleeping a lot, but I have gotten some errands done too. I have school supplies and a bus pass.
The host family is really nice, and the other day I went shopping around Nimes with my host sister Noèmie, and her friend.
Tommorow I start school at Lycée Phillipe Lamour and I am really nervous about it.
So far everything is going well, but there are big changes and I'm missing home.
I hope all goes well tomorrow and I will post updates as soon as I can.
(Still can't use the laptop just yet.)
I have been eating and sleeping a lot, but I have gotten some errands done too. I have school supplies and a bus pass.
The host family is really nice, and the other day I went shopping around Nimes with my host sister Noèmie, and her friend.
Tommorow I start school at Lycée Phillipe Lamour and I am really nervous about it.
So far everything is going well, but there are big changes and I'm missing home.
I hope all goes well tomorrow and I will post updates as soon as I can.
(Still can't use the laptop just yet.)
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